Stone
Store and Mission House, Kerikeri
Bay
of Islands Suggestions
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of Cape Reinga Bus Tour
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a Bus Tour to Cape Reinga
Sightseeing,
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and Accommodation in the Bay of Islands
By
Richard Moore
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BAY
OF ISLANDS
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The
Stone Store at Kerikeri is one of the most well known buildings
in New Zealand, courtesy of its status as the first stone
structure built in the country.
It
was completed in 1833 and was made from Sydney sandstone
and volcanic rock.
The
Stone Store sits at a peaceful bend on the Kerikeri river
and next to the other historic building in the vicinity
- the Mission House.
And
when we say peaceful, it would be but not for the hordes
of cars and tourists racing around it. Be patient if you
are waiting for photos without cars.
The
building has been used as a storehouse, granary, trading
post, military outpost, theological library, school and
general store.
It
is a lovely old structure and inside you can see the store
and shop areas as well as the barrel-lifting pulleys in
the attic.
The
need to get money for vital renovations means the historic
side is somewhat tainted by expensive cheap items to buy
and this does detract from the Stone Store.
However,
if you are pressed for time, get a couple of photos from
the outside and have a bite to eat in the cross-river park.
A
note here take a rubbish bag with you as it seems the local
authorities don't believe in rubbish bins in public areas
so you have to take away your leftovers with you.
The
nearby Mission House
has original furniture and can boast being the oldest wooden
building in New Zealand. A ticket to both sites is around
$7.
And
across the road and up a bit of a hill is a fantastic old
church that is definitely worth popping into.
